Pinocchio, Transporter 3 on DVD/Blu-ray, Howard the Duck on DVD & South Park

PINOCCHIO's 70th anniversary edition hits DVD and Blu-ray today, March 10, along with a four-film BATMAN anthology on Blu-ray, SOUTH PARK (12th season) on Blu-ray for the first time, HOWARD THE DUCK on DVD for the first time, SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK and TRANSPORTER 3 on DVD/Blu-ray and an edition of WOODY WOODPECKER favorites on DVD.

BATMAN: THE MOTION PICTURE ANTHOLOGY 1989-1997 on Blu-ray

BATMAN is back sharper than ever on March 10 when Warner Home Video releases BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 on Blu-ray. The first four Warner Bros. Batman films, which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, started the film franchise 20 years ago on its road to becoming a global phenomenon and ultimately one of the top ten most successful film franchises in motion picture history.

BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 features more than 18 hours of bonus content including documentaries from directors Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, deleted scenes and music videos. In addition there will be a digital copy of BATMAN, which allows consumers a single non-transferable download of the full-length film to their iPod or PC.

Available as a collection only, BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 on Blu-ray will sell for $129.95. BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 is currently available on DVD for $79.92.

In 1989, director Tim Burton (SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET) introduced a new cinematic version of one of the most complex and intriguing characters in popular culture. With his modern film vision of BATMAN, Burton cast off the 1960s camp depiction of the Dark Knight and launched one of the most successful comic book film series ever. Starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Academy Award-winner Jack Nicholson as The Joker, BATMAN was the top grossing movie of 1989 with a box-office total of more than $250 million. Burton and Keaton returned for the second installment, BATMAN RETURNS, joined by co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as The Penguin.

In 1995, Burton passed the reins to Joel Schumacher (THE NUMBER 23, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) who injected the franchise with his unique style and included even more star power and action. Schumacher's BATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN & ROBIN features Val Kilmer and George Clooney, respectively, as the Caped Crusader and included casts with Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tommy Lee Jones and Uma Thurman.

-- Commentary by director Tim Burton-- On the set with Bob Kane-- Legends of the Dark Knight: The History of BATMAN -- The BATMAN Comic Book Saga as reinvented and reinterpreted over nearly seven decades-- Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Parts 1-3: The Road to Gotham. The Gathering Storm and The Legend Reborn-- Beyond BATMAN (Documentary Gallery): Visualizing Gotham: The production design of BATMAN, Building the Batmobile, Those Wonderful Toys: The Props and Gadgets of BATMAN, Designing the Bat-Suit, From Jack to The Joker, Nocturnal Overtures: The Music of BATMAN-- Three Music Videos by Prince: "Batdance," "Partyman" and" Scandalous"-- BATMAN: The Heroes (Profile Galleries) and BATMAN: The Villains (Profile Galleries)-- Theatrical trailer

BATMAN RETURNS (1992) Special Features Include:

-- Commentary by Tim Burton - Sit with director Tim Burton and explore this dark sequel-- The Bat, The Cat And The Penguin -- Cast and crew recall the making of this equally spectacular sequel-- Shadows of the Bat Pt. 4: Dark Side of the Knight - Hear from the cast and crew to learn how this sequel came to be-- BATMAN: The Heroes and BATMAN: The Villains-- Gotham City Revisited: The Production Design of BATMAN RETURNS: Sleek, Sexy and Sinister: The Costumes of BATMAN RETURNS, Making-up The Penguin, Assembling the Arctic Army, Bats, Mattes and Dark Nights: The Visual Effects of BATMAN, Inside the Elfman Studio: The Music of BATMAN RETURNS-- "Face to Face" Music Video by Souixsie and the Banshees-- Theatrical trailer

BATMAN FOREVER (1995) Special Features Include:

-- Commentary by director Joel Schumacher-- Riddler Me This: Why is BATMAN FOREVER? -- How a new director and cast created a new vision of Gotham's classic good and bad guys-- Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 5: Reinventing a Hero - The BATMAN franchise is reenergized with a new look and new characters , bringing fun to the set and success at the box office-- Beyond BATMAN (Documentary Gallery): Out of the Shadows: The production design of BATMAN FOREVER - Barbara Ling explains how each location in famed Gotham City was modernized and customized to each character-- The Many faces of Gotham City - See how the costumes and make-up of BATMAN FOREVER contributes to the new and edgy look.-- Knight Moves: The Stunts of BATMAN FOREVER - Go behind the scenes with stuntman Keith Campbell, as he demonstrates how some of the most difficult stunts are set-up and executed-- Imaging Forever: The Visual Effects of BATMAN FOREVER - A look back at the special effects of the movie, at the beginning of the Digital Age of movie-making-- Scoring Forever: The Music of BATMAN FOREVER - Sit in on a scoring session of BATMAN FOREVER and listen to composer Elliot Goldenthal as he discusses the sound chosen for the movie.-- Additional Footage-- Kiss from a Rose Music Video by Seal-- BATMAN: The Heroes - Brief character analyses of the characters of BATMAN heroes by the filmmakers, cast and fans-- BATMAN: The Villains -- Brief character analyses of the characters of BATMAN villains by the filmmakers, cast and fans-- Theatrical trailer

BATMAN & ROBIN (1997) Special Features Include:

-- Commentary by director Joel Schumacher -- Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 6: BATMAN Unbound - Cast and crew discuss the casting, controversies, and fan anticipation and reaction to the fourth installment of the BATMAN Franchise.-- Beyond BATMAN Documentary Gallery: Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The production design of BATMAN and ROBIN - Take a look behind the scenes of the biggest character environments and the unique new inventions, Maximum Overdrive: The Vehicles of BATMAN & ROBIN - Highlights on the redesign of the Batmobile, Robin's motorcycle, and the Mr. Freeze machine, Dressed to Thrill: The Costumes of BATMAN & ROBIN - The design and manufacturing of the hot and heavy, and certain anatomically correct costumes is discussed by the costume crew, Frozen Freaks and Femme Fatales: The Makeup of BATMAN & ROBIN - Check out all of the details that go into the special effects make-up and hair as the crew transforms the actors into their characters and Freeze Frame: The Visual Effects of BATMAN & ROBIN - With more technology available than previously seen in BATMAN movies, filmmakers pushed the envelope in using visual effects-- Deleted Scene: Alfred's Lost Love-- Music Videos: "The End is the Beginning is the End" by the Smashing Pumpkins. "Look into My Eyes" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, "Gotham City" by R. Kelly and "Foolish Games" by Jewel

ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN Special Editions on DVD

As the story of Witch Mountain returns to movie theaters this year with the release of RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, the original films that launched the Witch Mountain saga, ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN, are returning to DVD in special new editions from Walt Disney Studios Home Ent.

Laying the groundwork for the new film starring Dwayne Johnson, the two family favorites first put the magical world of Witch Mountain onscreen, and featured such classic stars as two-time Academy Award winner Bette Davis (ALL ABOUT EVE, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?), Academy Award winner Ray Milland (THE LOST WEEKEND, DIAL M FOR MURDER), Christopher Lee (THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy), Academy Award nominee Eddie Albert (ROMAN HOLIDAY, TV's GREEN ACRES) and Donald Pleasance (YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK).

Long before HARRY POTTER and the NARNIA movies, the Witch Mountain films created a world in which children learned to use their magical powers. In ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, first released in 1975, orphaned siblings Tony and Tia Malone (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards) discover their paranormal powers and learn the truth about their origin; reviewing the film, Roger Ebert wrote, "something is happening all of the time, and most of the time it's scary but funny, too." In the 1978 sequel, RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN, the Malone children recruit a band of juvenile delinquents to help them battle a pair of criminal masterminds played by Bette Davis and Christopher Lee, who DAILY VARIETY called "one of the best Disney villains in years." Both Eisenmann and Richards make cameos in the new RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, a modern re-imagining of the original Witch Mountain story featuring Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino, and Alexander Ludwig.

The new Walt Disney Family Classics DVD editions both contain extensive bonus features, including all new Pop-Up Fun Facts, filmmaker commentaries, and more. They will be available in stores on March 10, three days before the theatrical release of RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN.

HOWARD THE DUCK -- Special Edition on DVD

HOWARD THE DUCK, the outrageous film about a highly-evolved offbeat duck from outer space, finally lands on DVD in an all-new Special Edition from Universal Studios Home Ent. Based on the popular Marvel Comics character and exec produced by George Lucas about a fast-talking, cigar-chomping, beer-loving duck from a parallel universe who somehow winds up in Cleveland. The incredible fantasy has Howard the object of everybody's desire, in love with rock singer Lea Thompson, and doing battle with the evil Dark Overlord as he attempts to return to his own planet. HOWARD THE DUCK -- Special Edition features new bonus features, a digitally remastered picture and new 5.1 surround sound.

HOWARD THE DUCK, a 1986 release, featured vfx from ILM and Tippett Studio.

Special Features:

-- A Look Back At HOWARD THE DUCK: The cast and crew reflect on the film and the public's response over the years-- Archival Featurettes: Get an up close look at the amazing stunts, special effects, and the music used in the film.

MAX FLEISHER'S GULLIVER'S TRAVELS on DVD and Blu-ray

In 1939, animation pioneers Max and Dave Fleischer (BETTY BOOP, POPEYE, SUPERMAN) made motion picture history when Paramount Pictures released their masterpiece, GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, the second feature-length animated film produced by a U.S. studio. This enchanting adaptation of Jonathan Swift's classic 18th century novel went on to earn two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song ("Faithful Forever") and Best Score, and is considered one of the greatest achievements in animation history.

Seventy years later, E1 Ent. presents a digitally restored, re-mastered and enhanced MAX FLEISCHER'S GULLIVER'S TRAVELS on DVD and -- for the first time ever in any HD format -- Blu-ray. This painstakingly crafted edition includes the complete 77 minute feature plus two fully restored "Gabby" cartoons and the Fleischer Studios documentary short THE MAKING OF A CARTOON -- all contributing to make this the most definitive version of the film ever released on any home entertainment format.

Truly a feast for the eyes and ears, Swift's ageless fantasy comes to life in this cel-animated Technicolor musical. In the film, Gulliver washes ashore on the mysterious island of Lilliput, where all the inhabitants stand no more than a few inches tall. Gabby, the Lilliput town crier, discovers Gulliver unconscious on the beach, and alerts King Little who sends a mob of townspeople to capture the "giant." Once awake, Gulliver's size and strength frightens the Lilliputians, but they soon realize that befriending Gulliver gives them a powerful advantage over their rival neighbors, the equally tiny Blefuscudians. Caught in the feud between the two kingdoms, Gulliver resolves the conflict and reunites a prince with his princess before sailing away in one of the "hap-hap-happiest" endings of all time.

Backed by Paramount and utilizing the talents of 600 of the best artists, Max and Dave Fleischer created GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, one of the most complicated and detailed animated features ever produced. Their staff toiled for over two years, using 12 tons of paint and 39,000 pencils to create over 639,000 celluloids and 115,000 composite scenes. The "gigantic" titular character was animated using rotoscoping, a process which involves tracing live-action footage frame-by-frame -- one of several innovative animation techniques developed by the Fleischers and Fleischer Studios. Popular songs composed for the film include "All's Well," "It's a Hap-Hap-Happy Day" and "Faithful Forever," all of which later became well-known standards.

By the late 1990s this animated gem had fallen into disrepair, but thanks to a close relationship with the Fleischer family, North Hampton Partners and animation expert Dr. Thomas R. Reich were able to secure a long-lost 35mm source print. State-of-the-art technology enabled the film to be meticulously revived, removing years of dirt and restoring damaged portions of the frames. GULLIVER'S TRAVELS was then color corrected using 100% historically accurate palettes at Technicolor and was re-mastered for the first time ever in 16x9 (1080p High Definition). This entire process was done frame-by-frame without stretching characters or losing any image beyond standard vertical safe areas -- and the use of proprietary techniques actually enables more picture to be visible on the left and right sides of the frame than ever before.

Additionally, the original soundtrack was fully restored and supplemented by two newly enhanced sound options (Dolby Digital and 5.1) utilizing multi-track Foley techniques. The bonus Fleischer documentary THE MAKING OF A CARTOON as well as the two Gabby cartoons featured on the DVD and Blu-ray ("Swing Cleaning" and "King for a Day") were also restored.

PINOCCHIO on DVD and Blu-ray

The film that taught the world to "Wish Upon a Star" shines brighter than ever when Walt Disney's original classic, PINOCCHIO: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition is released from the Disney vault on March 10, 2009. Available for the first time in high-definition and 2-Disc DVD, PINOCCHIO is brilliantly restored with enhanced picture and sound unlike anything you've ever seen or heard before. This classic story of magic, adventure and loyalty will be available for a limited time only and comes loaded with bonus features that unlock the doors to the magical world of PINOCCHIO.

The special 2-Disc Blu-ray release not only includes a bonus standard definition DVD of the classic animated film in the same package, allowing viewers the opportunity to enjoy PINOCCHIO on a standard def DVD while they are preparing to upgrade to a 1080p Hi-Def Blu-ray experience in the near to present future, but provides viewers accessibility to Disney's popular BD-Live Network, a backstage pass for Blu-ray Disc owners to chat, video stream, participate in communal games and download exclusive content unavailable to general DVD owners.

Walt Disney's second animated feature, PINOCCHIO debuted 70 years ago with vibrant hand drawn animation, universally loved music like the Academy Award winning original song WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR, and a touching story that made it an instant classic. Introducing audiences to the magical favorites of Pinocchio, Geppetto the puppet maker and the Blue Fairy, PINOCCHIO also marks the screen debut of a character who became one of Disney's signatures: the fast-talking, wisecracking Jiminy Cricket.

Join Gepetto's beloved puppet -- with Jiminy Cricket as his guide -- on a quest that tests Pinocchio's bravery, loyalty and honesty, virtues he must learn to become a real boy.

DVD Special Features Include:

Disc One:--Pinocchio's Matter of Facts -- Learn fun facts about PINOCCHIO and other related subjects as you watch the movie.--Audio Commentary -- An all-new audio commentary with Leonard Maltin, Eric Goldberg and J. B. Kaufman.--Disney Song Selection -- Select this option to sing along with favorite songs as the lyrics appear onscreen.

Disc Two:--No Strings Attached: The Making of PINOCCHIO -- Witness the behind-the scenes magic that transformed Carlo Collodi's popular book into a classic animated film.Deleted Scenes:--The Story of the Grandfather Tree -- Kindly Geppetto tells Pinocchio about the Great Pine Tree from which Pinocchio is descended.--In The Belly Of The Whale -- The most elaborate of Pinocchio's deleted scenes that remain in the Disney Archives, these recently discovered storyboards reveal a different version of Geppetto inside Monstro.--Alternate Ending -- A recently uncovered set of small storyboard panels reveal plans for a different version of Pinocchio becoming a real boy.The Sweat Box -- The Sweatbox was a small projection room at the Disney studio where Walt critiqued story reels, rough animation, and dailies of films in progress with his anxious artists. This piece traces the history of the Sweatbox and brings to life this important part of Walt Disney's artistic process.--Live Action Reference Footage--PINOCCHIO Art Galleries--Deleted Songs -- An audio collection of period "pop" recordings of songs that not used in the final film.--Pinocchio Puzzles -- Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio's Puzzles is a multi-tiered Puzzle game that contains six unique wooden puzzles for the viewer to assemble. Each puzzle forms an image from the film that comes to life once they are complete.

Blu-ray Special Features Include: (Disney BD-Live Network features only available in the U.S.)

Disc One:Includes the movie plus:--Cine-ExploreDisney BD-Live Network -- The Disney BD-Live Network is just one of the many ways movie lovers, families, and loved ones can continue to stay connected and engage in their favorite movies:--Movie Chat -- Communicate with your remote friends on-screen while in a synchronized viewing party using your remote control or any text enabled device such as a laptop, desk top or any PDA device such as a Blackberry, iPhone or most other regular cell phones. Your chat session will appear over the movie and occur in real-time while watching the movie together.--Movie Mail -- Blu-ray owners will be able to record a personalized video message of themselves, superimpose that capture onto one of many pre-selected clips of the movie, and send it off to a friend, colleague, or relative. This specific feature enables PINOCCHIO Blu-ray Disc owner to personalize a special greeting.--Movie Challenge -- Users will be able to test their skills against other players in a synchronized, real-time, online trivia game while watching PINOCCHIO with anyone online. Movie Challenge is always active no matter what time of the day it is, and there will always be a game in progress.--Disney Movie Rewards Live -- PINOCCHIO Blu-ray owners will be able to accumulate Disney Movie Reward Points by participating in many Disney BD-Live Network activities. In return, viewers can redeem points for exclusive content such as Avatars, downloadable extras and many more exciting possibilities.

SOUTH PARK: The Complete Twelfth Season on DVD and Blu-ray

Comedy Central Home Ent. and Paramount Home Ent. will release SOUTH PARK in Blu-ray for the first time ever. SOUTH PARK: The Complete Twelfth Season Uncensored Blu-ray and DVD arrive in stores nationwide on Tuesday, March 10.

In the 12th season, the boys are consumed with helping a pop princess who's down on her luck, negotiating a truce for striking Canadians and preventing giant rodents from destroying the world. One landmark episode follows the new president-elect from his acceptance speech to his first official duty as Commander in Chief.

SOUTH PARK: The Complete Twelfth Season Uncensored Blu-ray and DVD features all 14 episodes in an exclusive three-disc set.

Special Features Include:

-- "Six Days to SOUTH PARK": A Day-by-Day Making of the "Super Fun Time" episode of SOUTH PARK-- "Making Boobage: Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews of the people who made "Major Boobage" happen-- A behind-the-scenes look at "About Last Night" (available in HD on the Blu-ray version)-- The ever-popular "commentary-minis" by co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone

SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK on DVD and Blu-ray

SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK, a unique film from Academy Award-winner Charlie Kaufman (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND) that blends fantasy, deep emotion and the filmmaker's very recognizable humor, arrives on DVD and Blu-ray March 10 from Sony Pictures Home Ent. Kaufman also goes behind the camera for the first time to helm the film which was met with great excitement from both audiences and critics when it premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK follows the life of regional theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as he struggles with romantic relationships (Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams and Catherine Keener), as well as with the problems of aging, and a mysteriously degenerative medical condition. He develops all this into a monumental theater piece. Building a full-scale replica of New York City inside an impossibly large warehouse and populating it with thousands of actors, Cotard spends the remainder of his life creating a piece so personal and epic in scope, that the line between reality and art collide, and the universe that he has created swallows up everything within it.

The film features vfx from Brainstorm Digital, Academy of Art University, Anibrain, RotoFactory and TCHYA.

The Blu-ray version of SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK is BD-Live enabled, allowing users to get connected and go beyond the disc via an Internet-connected Blu-ray player. Download content, give feedback through an exclusive survey, and register for rewards.

TRANSPORTER 3 on DVD and Blu-ray

This time the rules have changed. Jason Statham (THE BANK JOB) is back with the third installment of the TRANSPORTER film series which has made him an international super star. Arriving March 10 on DVD and Blu-ray from Lionsgate, TRANSPORTER 3 is a new break-neck action adventure for Frank Martin, the ex-Special Forces operative who specializes in high-risk deliveries, no questions asked. The 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray contain a standard definition digital copy of the film as well as thrilling bonus features including multiple in-depth featurettes examining many elements involved in the making of the film, a featurette focusing on real-life transporters, and audio commentary with the director. The Blu-ray also features MOLOG, the first BD Live application that allows users to insert and animate shapes, text, audio and other graphics right into the film as well as post "blogs" about the film to share with other registered MOLOG users. The standard one-disc DVD of TRANSPORTER 3 will include a Widescreen and Full Screen version of the film along with the theatrical trailer.

Lionsgate presents a EuropaCorp production in coproduction with TF1 Films Production -- Grive Productions -- Apipoulai Prod in association with Current Entertainment with the participation of Canal+.

The film features more than 600 vfx shots, but audiences worldwide will be able to spot a few of them only. Two key vendors were hired to create them: Mac Guff Ligne (300 shots) and Duboi (250 shots), with Eclair Numerique providing additional vfx work. At Mac Guff Ligne, Visual Effects Supervisor and Co-Founder Rodolphe Chabrier assembled a team that included VFX Producer Jacques Bled, VFX Exec Producer Delphine Domer and CG Supervisors Marie-Claire Bazart and Antonin Seydoux.

The team was challenged by an almost impossibly tight deadline: eight mere weeks to create more than 300 shots with a team of 35 artists. "We mainly worked on the climactic train sequence," Chabrier says. "All the interiors were shot on stage. The carriage set was surrounded by a white cyclorama. It created an overexposed, washed out look that accurately reproduced the look that a film camera would obtain when shooting inside a train under those light conditions. This cost-efficient approach allowed director Olivier Megaton to get his shots directly in camera. When he felt that exterior views were required behind specific windows, we would add them in."

WOODY WOODPECKER FAVORITES on DVD

Guess who?! It's Woody Woodpecker, everyone's favorite red-headed bird, in 15 of his wackiest and funniest cartoons from Universal Studios Home Ent. This high-flying mischief-maker is sure to delight audiences of all ages with his crazy adventures and unforgettable laughter. Enjoy even more animated fun with five bonus cartoons featuring Woody's pals including Chilly Willy and Andy Panda as well as two bonus episodes of THE WOODY WOODPECKER SHOW (episodes #53 and #56).